nments. Included are subsystems of the individual (biophysical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, motivational), interpersonal systems (parent-child, marital, family, kin, friends, neighbors, cultural reference groups, social networks), organizations and institutions within the community, and the physical environment (housing, neighborhoods, buildings, water, weather) (Hepworth & Larsen, 1990, pp. 16-17).
Advantages of the ecological theory is that it is broad in scope and includes typical human problems that involve health care, family relations, inadequate income, mental health difficulties, law conflicts, unemployment, and educational difficulties. Application of the theory includes an assessment of the sources of problems and the determination of the focus of intervention. Next the practitioner surveys the spectrum of available practice theories and interventions to determine what is to be done. Interventions must be directed to all systems that are involved in the problem system (Hepworth & Larsen, 1990, pp. 17-18).
Stressful life events, particularly ones with chronic hardships create a crisis for families; this includes families living with chronic illness and disability. Americans currently face a caregiving crisis with a rapid growth in the oldest segment of the population and in increased incidence of Alzheimer's disease. The family's definition of the stressor needs to include situational meanings, family identity, and the family world view; these meanings change in response to crisis and the family's style of functioning may need to be reorganized (Cocoran, 1994, p. 38; & Patterson & Garwick, 1994,
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